Tuesday, 23 February 2010

A Little Housekeeping And a Giveaway

I can hardly believe it: I've been blogging for very nearly 4 months; and I'm coming up to my 60th post. So, I thought it might be time for a little housekeeping. I've freshened up the colours for spring; and I've been working to fill my sidebar with good places to go. I thought I would add some tags, too. Are they a good thing, do you think? Do you ever use them to find out what has been happening on a blog in the past?

Actually, I'm full of questions today. Tagging has made me think about the different kinds of posts I've been doing- ones with layouts, ones with silly stories, nostalgic ones, funny ones- and I would really, really like to know which you enjoy. So, I've come up with a Spring Cleaning Giveaway. If you leave me a comment telling me what you would like to see less of, more of, or none of, I'll put your name in a hat (yes, you've guessed whose hat, if I can prise it off his furry little head ) and draw a winner to receive a copy of:

Blogging For Bliss. International entries are welcome- and, please, if you read but you think commenting isn't really your thing: Blow your cover. Just this once! Say hello. Tell me what you think. You've got until midnight on Saturday.

29 comments:

Hey Sian - I love ALL the stuff you put on your blog - maybe that is part of its charm - that it is so eclectic. I love seeing your layouts and I love stories about the Small One, the Tall One, and the Accountant. So just keep posting and I'll keep reading! BTW - don't put my name in the hat, I already own the book.

I love the mix too :-) I think you've got it right already to be honest - it certainly keeps me interested! As for tags, I love using them myself and find they help to organise my posts (and sometimes add to it); on other people's blogs I do follow them occasionally to, say, view all the posts on a particular project, or all the scrapbook layouts, etc, etc - but mostly I like them for my own blog :-)

PS Congrats on your 4 months - feels like I've been following your blog for much longer (in a good way, I promise!!)

Congratulations on your upcoming 60th post and four months worth of blogging! I didn't realize you were that new to blogging - I do love your blog. I really love when you have posts that tell stories, but I also love seeing quick posts with your scrapbook layouts and misc things going on in your life.

I like the new look of your blog and am glad you are going to be using tags for your posts. It helps to keep things organized in categories - not only for you to keep track of, but for your readers to home in on one particular subject that they like.

Like everybody else I think you've got the balance just right....your blog is so interesting because of all the variety.....though I do love your funny little stories....and I would love to win that book.Don't let Horsey pick a winner though....think he might have a favourite!!!!!!

I'm really easily pleased, I enjoy all the posts. I enjoy not knowing what I'm going to see next time a post appears. As for the tags, I've found them helpful on some blogs but I think it's quite a personal thing. Because I don't have a seperate blogs for different topics, I try to use tags on my posts (but often I forget - which defeats the object ;o) ).

I really thought you had been blogging longer Sian. You're a Natural: all your posts being very interesting and colourful whether they are scrapbook pages or stories about your family.I use tags for my benefit to track down a post quickly if I want to find one, but I rarely follow them on anyone else's blog. I hope that helps.And Happy 60th.

Can't believe you're so new to blogging, you are obviously a natural! One of the things I love about your blog is the variety that you have. From beautiful layouts to thought provoking quotes and stories. You obviously have a fun sense of humour and erm ... I have to say it ... a rather handsome young sheriff!

No change necessary!! I love your style of writing & your mix of subjects & scrappiness...not to mention the subtle sense of humour!!! I'm coming up on my first year of blogging & am thinking of a little housekeeping too! Must be a girl thing!!!

I agree with the comments above. What I love and find so charming about your blog is your writing style and your mix of topics. It's always a surprise what each post will be about. But I always know it's guaranteed to be interesting! It's honestly hard to believe you've been blogging for a short time; you're a definite natural! As for tags, I've used them when viewing other people's blogs and have found them helpful, so I'd say it doesn't hurt to add them in. Here's to many more wonderful months of blogging!!

Sian I just love your style, be it scrapbooking, home or writing. You have such a talent and I always look forward to reading your posts. You have the balance just right from a peek into your daily life to sharing what you have been creating. Here's to another 60 posts and beyond :)

Oh dear, I am just going to sound like a clone of everyone else! I love your story-telling most - always a lovely way with words, and often humourous. But I wouldn't want to do without any of the other posts (e.g. Los etc.) because the variety is what makes it so interesting to read - I never know what I'm going to find! Just keep doing what you do - I think we're all very happy! :) alexa

I agree with everyone else... your blog is great just the way it is... as for tags, I only started using them properly in the last year, and it makes it easier to find something if I want to refer back to it... I've always randomly clicked on tag clouds on other blogs just to see what comes up, but google reader has changed the way I read blogs... maybe I should go back to the old way!

Sian, I think we started in the same week - I have to say it feels longer than four months!

I don't use tags/labels all that often when I'm viewing other blogs, but, when I have it has been a valuable tool.

Keep going as you are - it is all great. Present day family stories are highly entertaining, past family stories are lovely, The Accountant's joy in a flat pack is humerous and your pages are always magnificant.

Do you feel as though you want to change things up a bit? From a reader's perspective it is not necessary ... but if you do I'll look forward to those as well!

I think you have it absolutely right,I love the way you refer to the accountant and the tall one etc,your blog posts are always interesting and well written,I don't think you need to add or take away anything at all - congrats on 60 posts and long may it continue :-)

loving ur new photo.........u look so different from the front, hahaha!!!! i love ur blog for ur wit and ''tall'' tales. Im never sure what to expect which is g8. Love the idea of a party in a box, saves on clearing up! Jo xxx

I love tags on blogs. When I discover a blog that I get really into, I will often explore the tags to learn more about topics I'm interested in. On very rare occasions, I will go back and read all the posts, but that is very rare (and somewhat embarrassing).

I love reading your blog. I think that you have a great mix of fun stories, creativity, and show-and-tell. I'm really impressed that you're opening this giveaway to international fans too. I have wanted that book for months, and haven't gotten around to it yet.

4 months? Really? You seem like such an old hat at this! (meant in the best way possible)

Sian, I think what you do already is wonderful. I love the mix of stories, layouts and whatnots. I would love to see more of what inspires you.A spring clean is in order here too, and a giveaway is planned once my shop is open...all good fun!